Smooth cordgrass named ‘LA11-101’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of smooth cordgrass identified as ‘LA11-101’ is disclosed as being genetically different from ‘Vermilion’, the only other smooth cordgrass variety for the northern Gulf of Mexico, and as having rapid establishment and growth in natural brackish and saline marsh environments, and excellent seed set and germination.

The development of this invention was partially funded with Hatch Act Formula Funds (Project number LAB93864) and through grants from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Agreement numbers: 2010-34396-21191, 2009-34396-20051, 2008-34396-19316, 2006-34396-17624, 2005-34396-16498). The Government may have certain rights in this invention.

This invention pertains to a new and distinct variety of smooth cordgrass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) is a perennial grass native to intertidal saline marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts in the United States. It is used in numerous restoration projects to decrease coastal erosion. In Louisiana, one smooth cordgrass variety, ‘Vermilion’ (unpatented), is used extensively. The widespread use of a single variety reduces genetic variation, thus reducing the ability to adapt to environmental changes. ‘LA11-101’, along with ‘LA11-102’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/507,345) and ‘LA11-103’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/507,357), were invented to provide genetically diverse smooth cordgrass varieties for northern Gulf of Mexico restoration projects.

Smooth cordgrass seeds were collected from one hundred twenty-six (126) smooth cordgrass populations throughout Louisiana in 1998. Preliminary work, which preceded this invention, evaluated smooth cordgrass plant survival and vigor in natural marsh environments and freshwater production ponds (Ryan, 2003. utils.louislibraries.org/cgi-bin/lz0050.x?sitecode=LALUelib?http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-1110103-133154/ and Ryan et al., Journal of Aquatic Plant Management, 45:90-99, 2007). In the preliminary work, no efforts were made to asexually reproduce ‘LA11-101’ for any purpose other than to provide plant material for plant performance evaluations. The new smooth cordgrass varieties (‘LA11-101’, ‘LA11-102’, and ‘LA11-103’) were designate as varieties and reproduced asexually beginning in 2010. ‘LA11-101’ has a unique and stable genotype, as determined by molecular marker profiles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION Genus and Species Name

‘LA11-101’ is a new smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) variety that is genetically different from ‘Vermilion’ and two additional new smooth cordgrass varieties, ‘LA11-102’ and ‘LA11-103’. Genetic diversity was determined using nine (9) molecular markers. ‘LA11-101’ is more vigorous one (1) month after transplant than ‘Vermilion’ and produces more seeds that germinate than ‘Vermilion’. ‘LA11-101’ is recommended for brackish and saline marsh restoration projects in the northern Gulf of Mexico, especially Louisiana, where genetically different smooth cordgrass varieties that rapidly establish and produce viable seeds are desired.

Variety Denomination

This new and distinct cordgrass variety, identified as ‘LA11-101’, is characterized by its unique genetic profile, as determined by nine (9) molecular markers, ability to recover quickly in natural environments, and high viable seed yields.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The file of this Patent contains at least one photograph executed in color. Copies of this Patent or Patent Application with color drawings(s) will be provided by the US Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fees.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of the novel smooth cordgrass variety identified as ‘LA11-101’ showing green leaves and pale green stems at panicle emergence.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of the smooth cordgrass variety identified as ‘Vermilion’ showing green leaves and pale green stems at panicle emergence.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘LA11-101’ was developed from seed collected from smooth cordgrass plants growing in a saline marsh on Cow Island in Cameron Parish, La. (29° 37′ 41.21″ N.; 92° 45′ 54.12″ W.) in November of 1998. Collected seeds were germinated in a greenhouse at Baton Rouge, La. This population was selected in a phenotypic selection program because of high seed germination rates, seedling survival, and seedling vigor. The twenty (20) most vigorous seedlings from this population were selected in a second selection cycle and evaluated at Baton Rouge, La. In 1999, ‘LA11-101’, along with thirty-nine (39) additional genotypes, was selected in a third (3^(rd)) selection cycle. To provide plant material for continued experimental evaluations, rhizomes and stems of ‘LA11-101’ were harvested from the experimental plot at Baton Rouge and planted into containers in controlled greenhouses. This asexual reproduction was used solely to multiply the experimental line for evaluation, and not for the asexual reproduction of the variety.

The leaves of ‘LA11-101’ are slightly darker green [7.5 GY (5/4)] than ‘Vermilion’ [5 GY (5/4)] when color is determined with the MUNSELL® Book of Color (Munsell Color, Gretag Macbeth LLC, 617 Little Britain Road, New Windsor, N.Y. 12553-6148). ‘LA11-101’ stems are the same pale green [2.5 GY (8/4)] as ‘Vermilion’ beginning at panicle emergence (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). ‘LA11-101’ is shorter than ‘Vermilion’ (Table A). However, all physical characteristics can vary depending on growing conditions.

TABLE A Stem Leaf Panicle Panicle Height^(†) Diameter Width Length Width Variety (cm) (mm) (mm) (cm) (mm) ‘LA11-101’ 111.0 b 5.7 b 5.1 a 19.3 b 2.3 a ‘Vermilion 148.8 a 7.7 a 6.6 a 24.2 a 2.6 a ^(†)Means within the same column that are followed by different letters are significantly different (t test, p < 0.05).”

-   General description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Herbaceous grass with upright culms. Initially             grows in a circular pattern. After 2-3 years of undisturbed             growth, stands resemble ‘donut’ shape, where an outer ring             of healthy culms continue to grow and the inner ring             consists primarily of dead culms from previous years'             growth.         -   Culms.—Round, hairless, and hollow. Spongy at the base.             ‘LA11-101’ has narrower culms than smooth cordgrass cv.             ‘Vermilion’ about 10 mm above soil surface: average about             5.7 mm for ‘LA11-101’. ‘LA11-101’ culms are pale green [(5GY             5/4); (MUNSELL® Book of Color, Munsell Color Company, 1977,             Gretag Macbeth LLC, 617 Little Britain Road, New Windsor,             N.Y. 12553-6148)] beginning at panicle emgergence.         -   Plant height.—In Southern Louisiana, ‘LA11-101’ is shorter             than smooth cordgrass cv. ‘Vermilion’. Mean height of 139 cm             across 12 environments.         -   Leaves.—Narrow, sharply pointed, and alternately arranged.             Mean leaf width for ‘LA11-101’ are about 5.1 mm when             measured approximately 3 mm from stem. When grown in an             environment with abundant fertilization in Southern             Louisiana leaves are dark green (7.5 GY 5/4).         -   Flowering period.—‘LA11-101’ inflorescences begin emerging             in early summer and remain intact until late fall in             Southern Louisiana when spikes shatter and disperse             caryopses.         -   Panicle.—Panicles are terminal. Numerous spikes are attached             to an elongated rachis. Spikes are appressed to rachis,             alternately arranged around the rachis, and consist of             numerous spikelets with one floret per spikelet along one             side of each spike. ‘LA11-101’ has shorter panicles (mean of             19.3 cm) that are of similar width (mean of 2.3 mm) when             compared to smooth cordgrass cv. ‘Vermilion’.         -   Rhizomes.—Fast-growing rhizomes are white and hollow.         -   Culture.—Aquatic production in saline or fresh water. In             saline production, salt crystals typically form on leaf             surfaces. Best growth when intertidal conditions are             simulated: flooded production followed by dry production in             daily or weekly intervals.         -   Diseases.—‘LA11-101’ has similar rust (caused by Puccinia             sparganioides Ellis & Tracy) resistance as smooth             cordgrass cv. ‘Vermilion’. -   Growth and propagation:     -   -   Vegetative propagation.—From rhizomes that are approximately             2.5 to 8 cm long with at least one culm attached.         -   Growth rate.—Vigorous.         -   Seed propagation.—Not allowed for propagation of ‘LA11-101’.

‘LA11-101’ and thirty-nine (39) additional genotypes were evaluated in experiments at Baton Rouge and Grand Terre, La. from 2000-2001. ‘LA11-101’ and seven (7) genotypes were selected in the fourth selection cycle. In 2002, rhizomes and stems of ‘LA11-101’ were harvested from experimental plots at Baton Rouge and planted into containers in controlled greenhouses. This asexual reproduction was used solely to provide material for continued experimental evaluations.

Experimental evaluations were continued from 2005-2009 at seven (7) sites. In 2010, ‘LA11-101’ was identified as a superior cultivar and one hundred (100) single stems with rhizomes, which were verified using molecular markers to be genetically identical, were used to asexually propagate the variety ‘LA11-101’ in Plaquemines Parish, La. In 2011, rhizome and stem material were harvested and moved to Baton Rouge where asexual reproduction of rhizomes and stems has continued.

Variation in plant appearance can be caused by production conditions and does not reflect genetic differences. ‘LA11-101’ is genetically identical and stable when produced from rhizome material. ‘LA11-101’ can be definitely identified from ‘Vermilion’ based upon fragment size differences using nine (9) molecular markers (Table 1).

TABLE 1 LA11-101 Vermilion Primer^(†) Fragment Size (bp) ESSR35 190 180 ESSR64 310 300 ESSR66 145 140 SPAR4 210 190 SPAR7 295 280 SPAR8 185 180 SPAR11 285 275 SPAR27 190 200 SPAR5 265 260 ^(†)ESSR sequences (Baisakh et al., 2009. Aquat. Bot 91:262; SPAR sequences Blum et al., 2004. Mol. Ecol. Notes 4: 39).

Explanation of Tests Conducted

Preliminary Field Trials:

‘LA11-101’ was selected from a preliminary field trial in which four hundred (400) plants were evaluated for performance in a freshwater production pond, Baton Rouge, La., in February 2000. ‘LA11-101’ was included in replicated trials from 2000 to 2009 in thirteen (13) environments to evaluate its performance and release potential.

Advanced Field Trials:

Advanced field trials were completed at freshwater ponds, Baton Rouge, La., and on a created marsh, Grand Terre, La., in 2001. The average plant height, spread, rust rating (Puccinia sparganiodes), and plant vigor were calculated based upon measurements completed every two (2) weeks starting eight (8) months after transplant and ending twelve (12) months after transplant for Baton Rouge and from three (3) to five (5) months after transplant for Grand Terre. Plant height was measured from the soil surface to the uppermost leaf tip of the plant. Plant spread was calculated by measuring the linear growth of each plant on two (2) perpendicular axes. Rust rating was measured with a 0-10 scale where 0 was no rust visible and 10 was rust covering all above-ground portions of the plant. Plant vigor was measured with a 0-10 scale where 0 was a dead plant and 10 was an extremely vigorous plant.

Elite Field Trials:

Elite field trials were completed on a created marsh, Grand Terre; on man-made marsh terraces, Cameron Parish, La., in 2003; and in freshwater rice production fields, Rayne, La., in 2005 and 2006. Plant vigor was measured at Grand Terre and Cameron Parish approximately six (6) months after transplant. Plant vigor, rust rating, plant spread, plant height, and the total number of stems per plot were measured at Rayne, La. in 2005 and 2006, approximately five (5) months after transplant. Percent seed set and seed germination were also determined at Rayne, La. in 2005. Percent seed set was determined on ten (10) randomly selected panicles harvested the first week of November. Each panicle was individually bagged with 4.5 cm×40 cm cellulose tubes to collect seeds that shattered prior to harvest in early December. The total number of florets and the number of florets containing seeds (filled florets) were determined using a fluorescent light box. Percent seed set was calculated as follows: [(number of filled seed/total number of florets)*100]. Percent seed germination was determined with five (5) replicates of one hundred (100) seeds. Seeds were placed into Petri dishes containing a #4 filter paper and 8 ml of 0.05% 200 g/L carboxin and 200 g/L thiram solution. Petri dishes were sealed with parafilm to minimize evaporation and placed in an incubator at 24-26° C. and 16/8 hr light/dark for six (6) weeks and percent seed germination was calculated.

Supreme Field Trials:

Supreme field trials were evaluated at a man-made marsh terrace, Cameron Parish, La., in 2008; two (2) eroded marsh areas, Grand Chenier, La., in 2008 and 2009; and two (2) freshwater rice production fields, Rayne, La., in 2008 and 2009. Plant vigor was measured at Cameron Parish one (1) month after transplant. Plant vigor and number of stems were measured at Cameron Parish one (1) year after transplant. Plant vigor, rust rating, plant spread, plant height, and number of stems per plot were measured approximately six (6) months after transplant at Grand Chenier, in 2008 and 2009. Plant vigor, rust rating, plant spread, plant height, number of stems, percent seed set, and percent seed germination were measured at Rayne in 2008 and 2009, approximately six (6) months after transplant.

EXAMPLE 1 Advanced Field Trials

In advanced field trials, ‘LA11-101’ was as tall, as vigorous and spread as far as ‘Vermilion’ (Table 2). ‘LA11-101’ also had a lower rust rating at the Baton Rouge advanced field trial than ‘Vermilion’ (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Baton Rouge, LA Variety Height^(†) (cm) Spread (m²) Rust^(‡) Vigor^(§) ‘LA11-101’ 171.0 a 1.1 a 2.6 b 7.4 a ‘Vermilion’ 140.0 a 1.0 a 3.5 a 7.2 a Grand Terre, LA Variety Height (cm) Spread (m²) Rust Vigor ‘LA11-101’ 115.0 a 1.6 a 2.6 a 6.7 a ‘Vermilion’  99.0 a 1.2 a 2.4 a 6.5 a ^(†)Means within the same column that are followed by different letters are significantly different (t test, p < 0.05). ^(‡)Rust rating was visually estimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no rust visible; 10 = rust covering all above-ground portions of the plant). ^(§)Vigor was visually estimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = dead; 10 = excellent).

EXAMPLE 2 Elite Field Trials

In elite field trials, ‘LA11-101’ was as vigorous as ‘Vermilion’ at Cameron Parish and Grand Terre, the two (2) natural saline environments (Table 3). ‘LA11-101’ spread as far, had similar rust ratings, and had more than twice the seed set and germination as ‘Vermilion’ in a freshwater production pond, Rayne in 2005 (Table 3). It was also less vigorous, produced fewer stems, and was shorter than ‘Vermilion’ in freshwater ponds (Table 3).

TABLE 3 Variety Vigor^(†) Rust^(‡) Spread (m²) Height (cm) Cameron Parish, 2003 ‘LA11-101’ 7.1 a — — — ‘Vermilion’ 8.8 a — — — Grand Terre, 2003 ‘LA11-101’ 7.2 a — — — ‘Vermilion’ 7.8 a — — — Rayne, 2005 ‘LA11-101’ 6.0 b 3.3 a 1.6 a 145.0 b ‘Vermilion’ 9.7 a 2.7 a 2.5 a 209.3 a Rayne, 2006 ‘LA11-101’ 5.7 b 2.3 a 1.2 a 164.0 b ‘Vermilion’ 9.0 a 2.3 a 2.6 a 218.0 a Number of Seed Set Seed Germination Variety Stems (%) (%) Cameron Parish, 2003 ‘LA11-101’ — — — ‘Vermilion’ — — — Grand Terre, 2003 ‘LA11-101’ — — — ‘Vermilion’ — — — Rayne, 2005 ‘LA11-101’  68.3 b 45.0 a 82.3 a ‘Vermilion’ 138.3 a 20.7 b 35.3 b Rayne, 2006 ‘LA11-101’  59.0 b — — ‘Vermilion’ 121.7 a — — ^(†)Vigor was visually estimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = dead; 10 = excellent); Means within the same column and location followed by different letters are significantly different (t test, p < 0.05). ‡Rust rating was visually estimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no rust visible; 10 = rust covering all above-ground portions of the plant).

EXAMPLE 3 Supreme Field Trials

In supreme field trials, ‘LA11-101’ was more vigorous than ‘Vermilion’ one (1) month after transplant on man-made marsh terraces in Cameron Parish; however, one (1) year after transplant at the same site, ‘LA11-101’ was as vigorous and had approximately an equal number of stems per plot as ‘Vermilion’ (Table 4). ‘LA11-101’ was as vigorous, had a similar rust reaction, plant spread, plant height, and number of stems per plot as ‘Vermilion’ at Grand Chenier and Rayne in 2008 and 2009 (Table 4). ‘LA11-101’ also had significantly higher seed set and seed germination rate than ‘Vermilion’ at Rayne in 2008 and 2009 (Table 4).

TABLE 4 Variety Vigor^(†) Rust^(‡) Spread (m²) Height (cm) Cameron Parish, 2008^(§) ‘LA11-101’  5.3 a — — — ‘Vermilion’  1.0 b — — — Cameron Parish, 2009^(§) ‘LA11-101’  3.3 a — — — ‘Vermilion’  4.7 a — — — Grand Chenier, 2008 ‘LA11-101’  8.3 a 2.3 a 2.0 a 100.3 b ‘Vermilion’ 10.0 a 1.3 a 2.6 a 164.0 a Grand Chenier, 2009 ‘LA11-101’  8.7 a 2.0 a 1.9 a 106.7 b ‘Vermilion’  9.3 a 1.0 a 2.5 a 153.0 a Rayne, 2008 ‘LA11-101’  7.0 a 1.7 a 1.8 a 174.0 b ‘Vermilion’  8.7 a 2.7 a 2.6 a 209.0 a Rayne, 2009 ‘LA11-101’  7.3 a — 1.9 a 163.7 b ‘Vermilion’  9.3 a — 1.8 a 188.0 a Number of Seed Set Seed Germination Variety Stems (%) (%) Cameron Parish, 2008^(§) ‘LA11-101’ — — — ‘Vermilion’ — — — Cameron Parish, 2009^(§) ‘LA11-101’  11.0 a — — ‘Vermilion’  16.0 a — — Grand Chenier, 2008 ‘LA11-101’  88.7 a — — ‘Vermilion’  92.7 a — — Grand Chenier, 2009 ‘LA11-101’  98.3 a — — ‘Vermilion’  92.3 a — — Rayne, 2008 ‘LA11-101’  85.7 a 55.3 a 79.7 a ‘Vermilion’ 102.7 a 27.3 b 38.0 b Rayne, 2009 ‘LA11-101’  87.3 a 44.3 a 74.3 a ‘Vermilion’ 107.0 a 21.3 b 40.0 b ^(†)Vigor was visually estimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = dead; 10 = excellent); Means within the same column and location followed by different letters are significantly different (t test, p < 0.05). ^(‡)Rust rating was visually estimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no rust visible; 10 = rust covering all above-ground portions of the plant). ^(§)Cameron Parish was established in 2008 and evaluated in 2008 one (1) month after transplant and in 2009 one (1) year after transplant. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct plant variety of Spartina alterniflora named ‘LA11-101’ as described and illustrated in the specification herein. 